Bob McBride addresses the KAA

Held this year from January 22 through January 25 at the Broadview Hotel in Wichita, the 53rd Annual Kansas Auctioneers Association Winter Convention featured entertainment and education. AuctioneerTech had the good fortune to be able to cover it.

Education

Dwayne Leslie from Global Auction Guide

Dwayne Leslie from Canada-based Global Auction Guide Media Group did an excellent job presenting an Internet marketing class. He covered many of the basics on which we harp regularly here at AuctioneerTech, such as don’t use PDFs, stay away from Flash for splash and navigation, and keep your website simple and light for dial-up users. It was thoroughly enjoyable and right on the money.

Monty Lowderman from Lowderman Auction

Monty Lowderman with Lowderman Auction Company and Williams and Williams spoke Saturday morning as well as Saturday afternoon and did a fine job. His morning course described how to be a professional auctioneer living a fast-paced lifestyle. The afternoon course covered the auction method and the reasons to use it and how best to use it.

Other educational courses offered included real estate courses by Dave Goscha from the Lowry School of Real Estate on Friday and Joe Calhoon on Saturday.

Entertainment

Mayor Carl Brewer addresses the KAA

Thursday was the first KAA Livestock Bid Call Contest held at the El Dorado Livestock Auction. Charlie Cummings is the first champion.

Friday night’s banquet featured a welcome by Wichita’s mayor, Carl Brewer, a solid meal, the St. Jude’s benefit auction event and a performance by the Walnut River String Band.

Walnut River String Band performs for KAA

Saturday night’s Awards and Honors Banquet found auctioneers Marvin Knopp and John Shoemaker inducted to the Kansas Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame. Richard Garvin was awarded the Presidential Award of Distinction. Scholarships were given to Adam Pounds, Callie McCaffrey and Logan Fullerton. Following the banquet was the fun auction, where any auctioneer can sell a few items he or she brought or any of the many gift certificates or other donations from the many vendor sponsors.

Sunday’s luncheon finale featured a nice meal and the introduction of officers for both the KAA and the KAA Auxillary.

Business

2009 officers and directors

The new directors for the term beginning 2009 are Eric Bloomquist, Byron Bina and the first lady ever to be elected to the Kansas Auctioneers Association Board of Directors, Megan McCurdy. The new Vice President of the KAA is Jack Newcom. The new President-elect for 2009 is Andy Conser, CAGA, AARE. Dave Webb became the new President of the KAA.

The KAA business meeting, in full parlimentary style, was conducted by 2008 President Bob McBride. 2009 President Dave Webb adjuourned the meeting.